Wildlife photographer Ian Redmond captured close up footage of a family of gorillas enjoying a meal in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Footage from August 2009 features the group of gorillas eating some leaves. The species are now listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The Karisoke Research Centre, in the national park, was established on September 24, 1967, the date is also World Gorilla Day.

Happy World Gorilla Day.

On 24th September 1967, Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Centre on the Rwanda side of the Virunga Volcanoes. To mark the 50th anniversary, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund designated an annual day of celebration, so today I delved into my hard drive to share some unseen gorilla footage. No music, no commentary - just natural sounds and gorilla behaviour, so sit back and enjoy!

Baby mountain gorillas are seriously cute! With their wavy hair, big brown eyes and a curious expression, they explore their green world through play. Here, Kwisanga's 1-year-old son entertains himself in their leafy home while his Mum prepares a mixed salad and Agashya, his massive silverback father, goes first for wild celery, then the pith of fern stems and finally blackberry leaves (never mind the little hooked spines on the midrib!)

This visit to Group 13, on the steep lower slopes of Mt Sabyinyo in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, was during the UN Year of the Gorilla in 2009, and the lucky tourists from USA, UK and Spain give their impressions at the end of the video, along with Edward the guide and his team.

#BabyAnimals #GorillaMums #MountainGorillas #Rwanda

The Gorilla Organization

Gorilla Doctors

And if you fancy a virtual 360 visit to a different group of gorillas, Dian's grave and an exhibition of her work, check out the #WorldGorillaDay vEcotour here:

https://www.vecotourism.org/news/happy-world-gorilla-day/#more-2086